Coldplay Band Rules (From 60 Minutes Interview)

These are the Coldplay “band rules” posted on the wall in Chris Martin‘s London studio. During his interview with Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes the camera paused long enough on them for me to freeze the frame and copy them down.

1. Albums be no longer than 42 minutes, 9 tracks.
2. Production must be amazing, but with space, not overlayered, less tracks, more quality, groove and swing. Drums/rhythm are the most crucial thing to concentrate on; diff. between bittersweet and science of silence. [A reference to The Verve and Richard Ashcroft solo]
3. Computers are instruments, not recording aids.
4. Imagery must be classic, colourful and different. Come back in glorious technicolor.
5. Make sure videos and pictures are great before setting release date. And highly original.
6. Always keep mystery. Not many interviews.
7. Groove and swing. Rhythms and sounds must always be as original as possible. Once jon has melody twist it and weird it sonical.
8. Promo/review copies to be on VINYL. Stops copying problem, sounds and looks better. [Ed. Note: My Viva La Vida promo was in CD format]
9. Jacqueline sabriado, ns p c c, face forward.
10. Think about what you do with charity account. Set up something small but really enabling and constructive. Ref j oliver fifteen [a reference to Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Restaurant]

Well, at least they actually have a credo to stand by. Most musicians just play whatever is spinning around their head, giving us a bunch of gems & phooey in the same mix.

Jazz legend Herbie Hancock said Miles Davis had his own band rules, one of which was ”don’t bring your practice-sound to the stage . . . save that for “practice.'” That’s a truth passed down from one master to another, and one so many other music artists should adopt.

How many times do you hear your favorite performer, and the mess he or she gave you onstage sounds NOTHING like the beauty recorded on their album?